Automatic bowling pinsetter out-of-range reset actuating device



March 12, 1963 c. a. BUTTERFIELD 3,081,086

AUTOMATIC BOWLING PINSETTER OUT-OF-RANGE RESET ACTUATING DEVICE FiledOct. 27, 1961 INVENTOR. C HARLES 6. BUTT ERFELD United States Patent O3,081,086 AUTOMATIC BOWLING PJNSETTER OUT-OF- RANGE RESET ACTUATINGDEVICE Charles G. Butterlield, Morris, 11]., assignor to FieldenElectronics, Morris, 11]., a partnership Filed Oct. 27, 1961, Ser. No.148,065 4 Claims. (Cl. 273-43) This invention relates to improvements inautomatic bowling pinsetting machines and, more particularly, to adevice for reactuating such machines, of the type disclosed in suchpatents as No. 2,973,204 issued to W. F. Huck et al. February 28, 1961;No. 2,991,078 issued to E. Hedenskoog et al. July 4, 1961; and No.2,736,554 issued to J. M. Fluke, et al. on February 28, 1956, after thesame has been inactivated by a standing bowling pin which has been movedout-of-range or too-far-otf-spot by the first ball thrown during a frameof a bowling game.

Automatic bowling pinsetting machines of the type disclosed in theaforementioned patents are Well known and have found almost universalacceptance, primarily because they are essentially labor saving deviceswhich are intended to actually eliminate the necessity for humanpinsetters or bowling alley attendants. Except for accasional machinemaintenance, it is intended that cashiers alone, or in the smallerestablishments, the proprietor himself, can operate the bowling alleyestablishment with the assistance of one or more automatic bowlingpinsetting machines. However, complete and full automation hasheretofore never been achieved because of situations which arise duringthe. bowling game which result in the inactivation of the machines,thereby necessitating certain manual operations including the manualreactuating of the machine. Such a situation occurs when a bowling pinis moved out-of-range or too-far-oifspot on the bed of the alley by thefirst ball, but still remains standing. When this occurs, the normalcycle of operation of the machine i interrupted or stalled so as toavoid injury to the machine and the same is automatically shut off. T oreactuate the machine, it is necessaryfor someone to walk all the wayback to the rear of the alley where the machines are normally locatedfor the purpose of manually operating a reset lever to reactuate themachine.

-It is, therefore, an important object of this invention to afford meanswhich will increase the degree of automation of automatic bowlingpinsetting machines. A related object is to provide means which may beincorporated in, or attached to, and automatic pinsetting machine forautomatically reactuating the machine after the same has been shut downbecause of an out-of-range situation.

The construction and operation of automatic pinsetting machines is fullydisclosed in the aforementioned patents. As there disclosed, the machineis provided with a pinsetting and resetting deck, in turn comprised of acentral deck having fixed setting shoes and an upper setting deck havingbuckets into which the pins drop from a turret bearing a supply of suchpins and also having setting shoes which co-operate with the fixedsetting shoes to confine the pinstherebetween. A lower deck havingenlarged openings, one for each bowling pin, defining a normal pick-uparea through which the pins are set, is also provided. The under side ofthe upper deck is provided with pressure plates to engage the tops ofthe standing pins during the pick-up and reset operation.

The machine is further provided with a rake which may be operated tosweep the bed of the alley clean of deadwood (pins which have beenknocked down by the bowling ball).

In playing the game of bowling, it is well known that the object is toknock down as many of the pins as pos- 7 3,081,086 Patented Mar. 12,1963 sible in each frame of the game. Two ball may be rolled by acontestant in each frame. If all the pins are knocked down by the firstball (a strike) the rake is actuated to sweep the fallen pins from thebed of the alley into the pit where they are picked up by the machine.Immediately thereafter, the next step in the cycle of the machine occurswherein the deck is lowered and a new set of pins is set up on the bedof the alley. In the event not all of the pins are knocked down, thenthe contestant is permitted to roll a second ball in the frame. Toprepare for the rolling of the second ball, the deck is lowered untilthe necks of the standing pins protrude through the openings in thedeck. The pressure plates then cooper-ate to secure the pins in thedeck; the deck is raised, thereby raising the standing pin-s; the rakeis then actuated to sweep the deadwood from the bed of the alley and thedeck is then lowered until the remaining pins are standing on the bed ofthe alley. The pressure plates then release the pins; the deck raisesand the alley is set for the rolling of the second ball.

'If the pins which are left standing have been moved by the first ballto a spot not more than perhaps four inches from the original spot, theopenings in the deck are sufficiently large to enable the pins to bepicked up regardless of their having .been moved as indicated. However,in the event that one or more pins have been moved toofar-off-spot orout-of-range, the top of the pins will not enter the opening when thedeck is lowered. Instead, the top of the pins contact the bottom plateon the pin deck to prevent the deck from lowering sufiiciently to engagethe necks of the standing pins. When this occurs, a detecting or sensingmeans is actuated which, in turn, stops the machine in order to avoiddamage to the same. When this happens, the operator must manually removethe deadwood from the alley and then actuate an out-ofrange reset leverprovided at the back of the machine for this purpose. This thenreactuates the machine and raises the deck to permit the rolling of thesecond ball.

It is, therefore, another important object of this in- Vention to affordmeans which may be incorporated into the machine or added thereto toautomatically actuate the out-of-range reset lever, thereby reactuatingthe machine.

A further object is to provide an out-of-range reset actuating mechanismfor automatic bowling pinsetting machines which may be linked to theout-of-range detecting means so that the same is automatically actuatedimmediately upon the actuation of the sensing means.

Yet another object is to afford an out-of-range reset actuating devicehaving means connected to the out-ofrange reset lever and which resetssaid lever immediately upon actuation by the out-of-range sensing means.

Yet a further object is to provide an electrically powered automaticout-of-range reset actuating device of the character described capableof being controlled by the same switches which control the machineitself.

Still another object is to afford an automatic bowling pinsetterout-o-f-range actuating device of simple, inexpensive construction andpositive action which may be readily incorporated directly into themachine itself or may be readily mounted and affixed thereto as anauxiliary device.

With the foregoing and other objects in view which will appear as thedescription proceeds, the invention consists of certain novel featuresof construction, arrangement and a combination of parts hereinafterfully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, andparticularly pointed out in the appended claims, it being understoodthat various changes in the form, proportion, size and minor details ofthe structure may be made without departing from the spirit orsacrificing any of the advantages of the invention.

For the purpose of facilitating an understanding of my invention, I haveillustrated in the accompanying drawings a preferred embodiment thereof,from an inspection of which, when considered in connection with thefollowing description, my invention, its mode of construction, assemblyand operation and many of its advantages should be readily understoodand appreciated.

Referring to the drawings in which the same characters of reference areemployed to indicate corresponding or similar parts through the severalfigures of the drawmgs:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of an automatic bowling pinsetter out-of-rangeactuating device incorporating the principles of my invention therein,and showing in block diagram the associated parts of a bowling pinsetter;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the same.

Referring to the figures of the drawings, reference numeral indicatesegenerally the reset actuating device comprising an elongated switchactuator rod 12 having a switch actuator arm 14 connected at one endthereof with one end of the switch actuator arm bearing against asolenoid pressure-type switch 16. The switch 16 protrudes from a housing18 within which is positioned a solenoid 20, a portion of whichprotrudes from the opposite end of said housing, as shown in the severalfigures of the drawing.

The protruding portion of the. solenoid 20 has removably connectedthereto an extension arm 22 provided with a fork-like yoke 24 at theouter end thereof and designed to be connected to the previouslymentioned out-of-range reset lever 25 of the automatic pinsetter. Thefree end of the switch actuator rod may be provided with a connectingand mounting bracket 26 which in turn is designed to be connected to theout-of-range link assembly 27 of the pinsetter. The link assembly is inturn linked to the out-of-range detecting or sensing means of themachine.

Suitable electrical leads, such as 28, having a plug 30 at the free endthereof is connected to the solenoid 20 in the housing 18 and leads to asuitable power source. This power source may be an independent source ofpower but, preferably, the plug 30 may be plugged into the main switchcontrol box (not shown) of the machine. This ensures that shutting offof the power to the machine, as for example at the end of the day,simultaneous- 1y shuts off power to the solenoid of the out-of-rangereset actuating device.

It will be noted in FIG. 1 of the drawings that the solenoid armextension rod 22 is removably connected to a solenoid shaft 31protruding from the solenoid 20 by means of a yoke 32 formed on theadjacent end of the extension arm rod 22 and a suitable headed pin orbolt 33. The switch actuator rod 12 may be secured to the solenoidhousing 18 by means of an apertured bracket such as 34 affixed to onewall of the housing as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings.

The operation of the device upon the occurrence of an out-of-range pinsituation may be readily appreciated and understood from the followingbrief explanation. As previously explained, the out-of-range sensingmechanism, which becomes actuated when the top of an out-of-range pincomes in contact with an unperforated portion of the lower part of thepinsetting and resetting deck, is translated into motion which iscommunicated to the out-ofrange link assembly. The switch actuator rod12, connected by means of the bracket 26 to the out-of-range linkassembly, is thereby pulled to the left in the direction indicated byarrows in the drawings. As the rod moves, it moves with it the actuatorarm 14 so that the portion which abuts the solenoid switch 16 closessaid switch, thereby actuating the solenoid 20. This draws the solenoidshaft 31 inwardly, moving with it the extension arm 22. The outer freeend of the extension arm 22 is connected by means of the connectingmember 24 to the out-of-range reset lever of the machine. Thus, themotion to the right, in the direction indicated by arrows in thedrawings, pulls the lever, thereby reactuating the machine so that thepinsetting and resetting deck is raised and the alley is set for therolling of the next ball.

It should be appreciated that when the out-of-range sensing device actsto stop the machine, the rake is held back to prevent sweeping of thedeadwood from the floor of the alley. This is accomplished by means of alatching mechanism (not shown). This, of course, means that any deadwoodleft lying on the floor of the alley must be removed manually. However,experience has shown that when an out-of-range situation occurs, seldomif ever is any deadwood left lying on the bed of the alley. The pins areusually knocked into the pit.

It should be apparent from the foregoing description and drawings, thatI have provided a simple yet most effective and efficient device forreactuating an automatic bowling pinsetting machine which has beenstopped by a too-far-off-spot pin left standing after the first ball.The interruption occurs when the top of said pin comes in contact withthe bottom of the pinsetting and resetting deck as it is being loweredto pick up standing pins preparatory to sweeping the deadwood from thefloor of the alley into the pit. The device is designed so that it canbe readily connected to the out-of-range link assembly of the machineand to the out-of-range reset lever. Thus, immediately upon the machinebeing stopped, the motion set up by the out-of-range sensing device andtranslated through the out-of-range link assembly for the purpose ofstopping the machine, likewise actuates the reset device to operate theout-of-range reset lever to reactuate the pinsetting machine.

It is believed that my invention, its mode of construction and assembly,and many of its advantages should be readily understood from theforegoing without further de scription, and it should also be manifestthat while a preferred embodiment of the invention has been shown anddescribed for illustrative purposes, the structural details arenevertheless capable of wide variation within the purview of myinvention as defined in the appended claims.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United Statesis:

1. In an automatic pinsetter having a movable pin deck, means on saiddeck for picking up and resetting standing pins and for setting a set ofpins, sensing means on said deck for detecting when a standing pin hasbeen moved beyond the range of operation of the pin pickup means, levermeans for turning off the pinsetter and stopping the movement of saiddeck when an out-of-range pin has been detected, out-of-range linkageconnecting said sensing means and said lever means, and a reset lever;an out-of-range reset actuating mechanism having actuating meansautomatically operable by said sensing means to reactuate saidpinsetter, said actuating mechanism connected between said out-of-rangelinkage and said reset lever, said actuating means including a solenoidoperable to activate said reset lever immediately after the machine hasstopped, the operation of said solenoid being controlled by a switch,and switch actuating means connected to said out-of-range linkage, saidlast-mentioned means movable to close said switch in response to saidout-of-range sensing means, said switch actuating means including aswitch actuator rod connected at one end to said out-of-range linkageand a switch actuator arm positioned on the other end, said arm movableinto abutment with said switch to close the same.

2. The invention of claim 1 in which a solenoid extension arm connectssaid solenoid with said reset lever.

3. In an automatic bowling pinsetter out-of-range reset actuating devicefor reactuating a pinsetter machine after the same has been stopped byan out-of-range pin, said pinsetter machine having out-of-range pinsensing means, out-of-range linkage and an outof-range reset lever;

solenoid means operable in response to said sensing means to operatesaid reset lever, said solenoid controlled by a switch, switch actuatingmeans connected at one end to said out-of-range linkage and movable inresponse to said sensing means to close said switch and means connectingsaid solenoid and said reset lever.

4. An automatic bowling pinsetter out-of-range reset actuating devicefor reactivating a pinsetter machine after the same has been stopped byan out-ot-range pin, said pinsetter machine having out-of-range pinsensing means, out-of-range linkage, and an outof-range reset lever;said out-of-range reset actuating device comprising a solenoid mountedWithin a solenoid housing, a solenoid shaft protruding from the solenoidhousing, a pressure-sensitive switch protruding from the opposite sideof the housing and connected to said solenoid, a switch actuator rodhaving a bracket mounted on one end connecting said rod to saidout-of-range linkage, a switch actuator arm mounted perpendicularly tosaid rod at the other end thereof, the free end of said arm movable intoabutment with said switch for closing the same, and a solenoid arrnextension connected at one end to said solenoid shaft and at the otherend to said reset lever.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

3. IN AN AUTOMATIC BOWLING PINSETTER OUT-OF-RANGE RESET ACTUATING DEVICEFOR REACTUATING A PINSETTER MACHINE AFTER THE SAME HAS BEEN STOPPED BYAN OUT-OF-RANGE PIN, SAID PINSETTER MACHINE HAVING OUT-OF-RANGE PINSENSING MEANS, OUT-OF-RANGE LINKAGE AND AN OUT-OF-RANGE RESET LEVER;SOLENOID MEANS OPERABLE IN RESPONSE TO SAID SENSING MEANS TO OPERATESAID RESET LEVER, SAID SOLENOID CONTROLLED BY A SWITCH, SWITCH ACTUATINGMEANS CONNECTED AT ONE END TO SAID OUT-OF-RANGE LINKAGE AND MOVABLE INRESPONSE TO SAID SENSING MEANS TO CLOSE SAID SWITCH AND MEANS CONNECTINGSAID SOLENOID AND SAID RESET LEVER.